this is awesome. about time too.

source

Nolan, Del Rio expected to wear suits on sideline

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Mike Nolan and Jack Del Rio are ready to suit up.

The San Francisco coach and his Jacksonville counterpart have the NFL's permission to wear dress suits designed by Reebok during two games this season.

Nolan is expected to debut his old-school outfit - consisting of a black suit, a white shirt and a red-and-gold-striped tie - at the 49ers' home game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Del Rio also will wear a suit-and-tie ensemble in Monday night's home game against the New York Giants.

Nolan wouldn't confirm his plan Wednesday to wear the suit he first requested last year, saying, "I'm just focused on the opponent, not what I'm wearing."

But NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the 49ers coach has permission to "test-drive" the suit at two games this season.

"Working with Reebok, they were able to come up with something that should work for him," McCarthy said.

Nolan first broached the idea of wearing a suit and tie during games shortly after he was hired by the 49ers in 2005. He believes the ensemble will project an image of authority while also honoring his father, Dick, the 49ers' coach from 1968-75, and legendary coaches such as Tom Landry and Vince Lombardi.

But the NFL couldn't immediately give permission, citing its lucrative outfitting contract with Reebok. Nolan has worn pullovers and polo shirts so far during his tenure, but has worked with Reebok's designers to come up with the natty ensemble he's expected to show off Sunday.

Dan Reeves is thought to be the last NFL coach to wear a suit on the sideline. Coaches have been required to wear team-issued clothing since 1993.

Del Rio is expected to wear his suit again at the Jaguars' game against Indianapolis on Dec. 10, and Nolan will suit up again at a game still to be determined.

Bill Belichick should follow suit (DERP!)

This is good news only if the suits don't look incredibly awful.



scratch that, this is terrible news.

Zubaz suits!

I hope they are of 9 button variety.

May I also suggest: American Flag Ties.

wait. nfl coaches can't wear suits ordinarily?

no. the nfl's licensing deal with their apparel providers states that anyone on a team (including coaches) can only wear apparel from that company. dan reeves was grandfathered in, but no one's done it since then.

Man, I realllllllly hope the Reebox suits aren't too shabby. This could very well save the Patriots' season.

whoa, it's not like it'll be mandatory. i'm pretty sure belichick is comfortable while looking homeless.

To quote Glenn Ordway (ooof...), you're making my point!

Yeah this Reebok suit might be horrendous.

Grown men wearing sporty gear look like tools.

I'm imagining a suit that has a tie that ties itself by use of a pump

The women sure love his homeless style.

Well, if "women" equals "middle-aged New Jersey housewives".

Of course, Belichick is also a Croat. Croats invented the tie as we know it, pretty much. (They take credit for it, anyway.) Weird how he doesn't honour the tradition, then.

So, I haven't seen Nolan, but Del Rio looks pretty good tonite.

Black suit, blue striped tie.

that is fucking retarded.

i rocked a sweater vest today. it commanded obedience and kept my nipples warm.

yeah right. you were wearing a leather vest over a Rush t-shirt.

god that would show off my guns like so nice.

rush t-shirts don't make anyone's guns look good.

What do you mean?

yeah, i was like, "hey, a coach is wearing a suit. oh yeah, those reebok suits. well, that's not nearly as bad as i expected."